WILKES-BARRE — A man seen with his pants down allegedly defecated on the top step of a church Wednesday.

James Robert Russell, 47, of Wilkes-Barre, was seen around 1:03 p.m. at the corner of North Main and Maple streets, police say.

Russell, who was carrying a blue bag and blue milk crate, matched a description provided by a witness of a man seen with his pants down. When police talked to him, they said he couldn’t focus on their questions and continually ate from a large container of strawberries.

Russell, who denied pulling down his pants, was allowed to leave.

Officers returned to the location, where they spoke to a witnesses who said the suspect “pooped on the steps.”

Upon closer inspection, police observed human feces on the top step of the church surrounded by half-eaten strawberries.